What Makes a Competent Fire Risk Assessor?
If you work in fire safety, you’ve likely heard a lot about the importance of competency—and for good reason. Despite the seriousness of the role, there is currently no universal legal standard defining what makes a competent fire risk assessor in England and Wales. That, however, is set to change.
Why is competency an important topic?
For years, there have been serious concerns about the quality and consistency of fire risk assessments carried out by individuals with limited training or experience. These concerns were tragically brought to the forefront following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, where regulatory failures and poor fire risk management contributed to the loss of 72 lives.
On the 1st April 2025, following the Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, the Home Office published a letter to stakeholders that states they “intend to bring into law, mandatory competence requirements for fire risk assessors, to be independently verified by a UKAS-accredited certification body and overseen by a regulator.”
This shift is set to reshape the fire safety landscape entirely, raising the bar for both new entrants and seasoned professionals alike.
Does a qualification make you competent?
At Compass Skills Training, we firmly believe: qualifications are just the start.
While accredited training—like the SFJ Awards courses—offers a robust foundation of knowledge, true competence is built over time. It requires:
- First-hand experience assessing a range of premises
- Continuous professional development (CPD)
- Familiarity with evolving legislation and case law
- Regular engagement with industry updates and best practice guides
In other words, it’s a mix of knowledge, skills, judgement, and attitude—not a certificate alone.
So, how do you gain experience?
Experience is key—but how do people get it?
According to a survey published in September 2024, the prior job experience of Fire Risk Assessors is often in roles considered safety related.
- Almost half (49%) of FRAs had previous experience in a health and safety consultancy or advice role.
- (35%) have previously undertaken at least one role within a fire and rescue service (FRS), most commonly as a firefighter and/or either a fire protection or prevention role.
These pathways bring valuable transferable skills: incident awareness, risk profiling, inspection practice, and communication with duty holders.
If you’re new to the fire safety industry, consider:
- Shadowing experienced assessors
- Attending fire safety audits with your local Fire and Rescue Service
- Joining professional networks like the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) or Fire Protection Association (FPA)
- Building a CPD log from day one
And perhaps most critically: know your limits. Don’t take on assessments beyond your capability—competence includes recognising when to seek support.
Common Training Routes for Aspiring Fire Risk Assessors
Here are some recognised courses and who they’re designed for:
- SFJ Level 3 Certificate in Fire Safety For operational staff, building managers or safety professionals auditing simple premises.
- SFJ Level 4 Certificate in Fire Safety For those auditing complex buildings or seeking a deeper technical skill set.
- SFJ Awards Fire Risk Assessor Pathways Designed for people progressing through vocational fire safety careers in line with sector competencies.
The fire safety industry is moving towards a new era of professional accountability. If you’re involved in fire risk assessment—or aspire to be—now is the time to invest in your training, gain practical experience, and prepare to meet future competency requirements head-on.
